Editor,
The recent statements of the state BJP unit to disassociate itself from the controversy that had occurred in New Delhi wherein the Catholic faithful of the Sacred Heart Cathedral were prevented by the Delhi Police from carrying out the Palm Sunday procession on flimsy grounds are unfounded. The state BJP which tries to portray itself as a “holy acceptable party” has not dared to challenge the diktat citing jurisdiction matters but in politics these are mere excuses. If the NPP can talk of Manipur and take up issues with its counterpart there, what prevents the BJP from taking up the issue with its Delhi counterpart? Ironically the state BJP which prides itself of having two MLAs in the ruling dispensation seems to have gone silent with none of its MLAs saying a word on this critical issue of religious freedom. Another point of concern is also the lukewarm reaction from the Catholic Association of Shillong which should have given a stronger statement rather than just a symbolic one. So too the other political parties. Hypocrisy should have no place when it comes to taking a stand on matters of faith. After all, the Constitution of India guarantees religious freedom. Sadly, the political class in Meghalaya seems to have capitulated to the BJP diktat.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email
Menace of street dogs
Editor
Through your esteemed daily, I want to highlight an important issue that is specific to the residents of some localities in Laban area. Since the past few years there has been a steady increase in the number of street dogs which has greatly hampered our movements and created a fear psychosis about being bitten by stray dogs. On several occasions these dogs move in packs and attack small children while they are on their way to or from school or even when they are playing in the locality. These dogs also litter on the main road and outside the gates of different homes making it unhygienic. To add to that, there are some people who have pet dogs and take them for walks in the early morning hours but without the necessary precautions to collect their dog’s poop which really is a nuisance and makes our environment very dirty. Those from the Shillong Municipality who come to sweep the localities tend to leave out the dog poop. As residents of this locality we have the right to live in a clean environment which also includes roads and lanes. In this regard I would request the authorities concerned to take note of this problem and do something to contain street dogs and to also ensure that those who have pet dogs do not use the road as an open latrine for them. In fact the dog owners should be held responsible for such nuisance. The whole country has launched the Swacch Bharat Campaign, why are we not part of this campaign led by the Prime Minister himself?
Yours etc.,
Premankur Dam,
Shillong-4
Judicial overreach- Who will hold the judiciary accountable?
Editor,
The process of appointment of judges in our country is not through election but through the ‘collegium system,’ which raises serious concerns about the judiciary’s accountability in a democratic framework. If any arm of the State wields such power, should it nit be held accountable by the people? It was precisely for these reasons the judicial accountability bill and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was proposed so that elected members have some say in their appointment/selection. But it was struck down by the judiciary for being violative of the ‘basic structure domain’. To whom then is the judiciary accountable’? If any institution believes that the manner in which it exists is perfect and there is absolutely no space or need for any reform then that institution certainly does not have the right to preach reforms to anybody else.
An independent judiciary was conceived on the idea that there should be at least one institutional safeguard to check the government from overstepping its boundaries or to stop any infringement on the fundamental rights of citizens. However, during the Emergency, this theoretical independence failed, exposing the need for institutional accountability. Moreover, there are instances of judicial over-reach and incursion into the domain of the legislature and executive. Who will restrain this judicial overreach is the million-dollar question.
The executive is not expected to travel beyond a certain point to reform it for obvious fear of retaliation from the judiciary. What is the solution then? It is high time for active public involvement/discussion on the issue for exploring a balanced approach involving elected representatives and judicial fraternity to align the judiciary with democratic accountability.
Yours etc.,
D. Bhattacharjee
Shillong – 1
Infertility a growing concern
Editor,
Infertility is emerging as a growing concern across the world. According to the World Health Organization (April 4, 2023), approximately 17.5% of the global adult population—roughly one in six people—experiences infertility. In India, the situation is equally pressing. An article by R. Sharma (September–October 2024) reports that 10–15% of couples face infertility, with regional prevalence ranging from 3.9% to 16.8%. In the past, there were no medical facilities to diagnose or treat female infertility. Couples often had to travel far for specialized care. However, in recent years, infertility clinics have rapidly increased across the nation, reflecting the rising number of infertility cases among the adult population in India.
Data from NFHS-5 (National Family Health Survey) further underscores the concern—35.7% of women in Meghalaya were found to have low ovarian reserves, which may indicate reduced fertility.
Interestingly, it’s not just couples who seek fertility support. Some single women are also choosing to preserve their eggs, anticipating late marriages and future reproductive challenges. Modern fertility clinics now offer a range of options, including the ability to select whether one wishes to conceive a single child or twins. Many couples opt for twins to reduce the cost and frequency of treatments, which are often time-consuming and emotionally demanding. Thanks to the availability of better diagnostic tools and targeted treatments, many couples who struggled with infertility for years are now able to conceive, bringing hope and joy to families across the globe.
Yours etc,,
B. Laitphlang
Via email